Radical French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has declared that France must lead the reshaping of the global order.
He argued that the country was too vulnerable in case of war and should focus solely on diplomacy and peace efforts.
A longtime advocate of a unified third way opposed to US interests, Mélenchon leveraged the current international landscape to promote his vision during a France 2 programme on the Ukraine war titled L’évènement: La France face aux menaces on March 13.
“We, the French, must be the rebuilders of a new international order. That is why I advocate for non-alignment and an alternative globalisation based on common causes,” he said.
Mélenchon argued that non-alignment and alternative globalisation — a system not dominated by major power blocs — was possible as global power structures were shifting.
He pointed out that the world was apparently divided into three major blocs: The US, the European and the Chinese camps.
We have no interest in pushing Russia toward Asia. Instead, we should be reintegrating them into Europe
Opposed to this division into rigid blocs, which he referred to as “campisme” or bloc politics, he called for a new approach where France and like-minded nations broke away from what he termed Cold War-style thinking and worked toward a more independent, co-operative international order.
“We, the French, can do this because we are in a position to inspire trust in dozens of nations that could join us in forming a global league for peace,” he stated.
In the event of full-scale war, Mélenchon warned of France’s military weaknesses, partly due to its nuclear plants.
“We French are vulnerable, even though we have radar coverage and aviation defences. But all it takes is one direct hit, and France could be paralysed,” he said.
He also insisted that any peace agreement in Ukraine should involve security guarantees for Europe, including the reinstatement of the now-defunct treaty banning mid-range missiles.
Mélenchon also pushed for Russia’s return to the European fold and accused the US of fuelling instability.
“It is not beyond our reach to negotiate with the Russians and reach agreements that reverse the current path,” he said.
“Our interest lies in following the vision that General de Gaulle once laid out. A Europe that stretches from the Atlantic to the Urals. That’s the path we should be pursuing.”
Mélenchon also accused Washington of stirring up war and pressuring Europe into submission.
French leader of the hard-left La France Insoumise party Jean-Luc Mélenchon has criticised US President-elect Donald Trump, describing him as “a threat” and adversary to European interests rather than an ally. https://t.co/vp6jrzNOoI
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) December 9, 2024
“Lecornu [French foreign minister] mentioned that the North Americans are primarily focused on China. This means that soon everyone will be called to align with the USA against China,” he said.
He further blamed the US for the economic turmoil in Europe, citing rising inflation and trade wars.
“We know very well that the North American government is currently harming us. By increasing tariffs, they are causing inflation, particularly on strategic products.”
Mélenchon also accused the EU of hypocrisy, claiming Brussels was too submissive to Washington while demonising Moscow.
He blasted European leaders for what he said their blindly following US demands on defence spending.
The European Commission presented its first industrial defence strategy on March 5, along with a €1.5 billion subsidy scheme. https://t.co/cE8U2EVI49
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) March 5, 2024
“The money being committed to military spending in Europe mirrors exactly the 5 per cent increase that Trump demanded in the US defence budget,” Mélenchon said.
He also warned of Europe’s reliance on US military equipment, arguing that European Union nations were dependent on Washington’s approval to operate their armies.
“All European armies depend on American military equipment. The use of these weapons depends entirely, from the first second, on American approval.”
As transatlantic relations have grown increasingly strained, concerns over European military sovereignty have been mounting. https://t.co/EdICPbqrIP
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) March 12, 2025
Mélenchon also called for an end to escalating military spending and a shift toward renewable energy and economic stability.
“Right now, global military spending is at $2.4 trillion per year — that’s the equivalent of what 80 per cent of the world’s nations produce in wealth,” he said.
For the leftist leader, the priority should not be war but a fundamental shift in global priorities — one that placed peace and sustainability over arms races and geopolitical conflicts.
“If we all keep escalating our military buildup, we will eventually use those weapons. History has no exceptions to this rule,” Mélenchon concluded.
His party, La France Insoumise, has opposed the European Commission’s €800 billion ‘ReArm Europe’ plan, siding with the French right-wing party National Rally.
